Men’s Perceptions of Violence against Women: Improving Cultural Literacy for Combating Violence within Family

Abstract

While research evidence exists about Jordanian men’s perceptions and attitudes about violence against women (VAW), there is a scientific gap for addressing VAW as a Jordanian cultural norm. This study aimed to describe Jordanian men’s perceptions and attitudes toward VAW, leading factors for VAW, and strategies to combat VAW. A qualitative descriptive design was used with 14 Jordanian men and semi-structured interviews. Nine themes emerged: men’s definitions of VAW, men’s beliefs and attitudes about VAW, men’s feelings toward VAW, intensifying factors for VAW, men’s justification for women staying in abusive relationships, the hazardous impact of VAW, experience of using violence against wives, men’s strategies for combating VAW, and absence or limited role of services for victims of VAW. Men in many cultures including Jordan inherit structured patriarchal ideology, which gives men the perceived right to control women and to manage familial conflict. Inherited cultural beliefs about male roles within families should be restructured by collaborating with community stakeholders to combat VAW.